The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-01
MIKE.

ham for heroine, nor would one sup
pose that little figure possessed nerve
enough TO save hundreds of lives by her
prompt action; but this was the way OF
H.
1t was hot summer afternoon, and
the most absolute caiet neigned over the
little railro I'd station at Parkertown, up
in Northern New England, on those
sweltering July days. Not even the Gus
tomary loafers were around, and only at
train time was there any show Of life.
The down train was due at $40, but
until then, as sensational writers say,
all was quiet as the grave"
Nike gas the station agents daughter
and only child She was fifteen, although
so small she looked three years younger.
and was usually quiet as mouse" not
much zip to her, as the country people
said. In spite Of the current opinion,
however she had, except the small por-
ton Of time the little country town set
apart for the school season, spent nearly
all her time in the ticket Office with her
father, picking up, letter for letter and
word for word, the sounds of the Morse
instrument, and finally, one day, she as
tonished he father by taking a telegram
sound, giving him a neat copy"
From that day Mike was installed as
telegraph operator. and the indulgent
father often said Nick could run that
Office just as well as he could himself
which, considering that Mr. Markham
was considered by the boys plug oper-
aior," might be called double compli-
ment TO Mike.
Wen, this particular afternoon We are
talking about, the aforesaid plug saun-
tered into the depot with trouble en-
thorned on his majestic brow.
Nick, I'm summoned on a jury case
upto the Ceter Village This afternoon. It's
too late to GET anybody here, even s'pos-
ing there was anybody to get. What are
You going to do about it S'pose you can
tend the concern alone until gat back
probably by 81
~ guess 50, father" repied Mike" :"
There won't be much Of anything to
do Likely there won't be any passen-
gers for the down train this hot day. and
] hape know enough to sell ticket or
two if there are
Well, see that those boxes 90 by ex-
press The waybills are ready and in
the drawer Guess you'll get slong all
right" and off he went, leaving Mike
mistress Of the situation, which phrase
meant more than you might imagine that
very particular day.
At first she felt her newly acquired
importance somewhat and stepped about
briskly, dusting the musty little Office
and watering the few plants in the win
dows, but there being absolutely nothing
to do and no one coming near, she drop
ped into inactivity and listened to the
click of the telegraph instrument, which
to her was as companionable as the talk
of near friends would be- As the after
noon passed drowisly along, the heat and
stiffness overcome her, and dropping her
faxen head on the desk before her, she
was soon--as one OF the good ladies OF
Parkertown was wont to express it." in
tie arms Of Morphine"
AfterwaId the first thing she could re-
member about voice seeming 10 come
from her dreams said.
"Tain't likely sheis left here alone and
asleep too"
No." responded another evil voice,
the old mans prob'ly round somewhere
but" in a lower tone "come on, let's
90 long. The down train1l be long and
well just lay 'em out"
Mike was wide awake enough now,
but she had presence Of mind enough in
her small body, and realized that safety
lay in keeping still.
I" How fur is il up there
"sh! Keep mum. DO you want to
knock the huh thing in the fire, and
yourself. too2" And then the girls
quickened hearing caught the sound OF
heavy footsteps passing by the window
and on up the track
Mike waited until she couldn't hear
the footsteps, and then cautiously turned
and looked ont of the window. There
they wene-two misunderstanding tramps
Fastening up the track. She recognized
them at once as two men who had been
discarghed from construction train
that had been at work down the road
What would she do? Oh, if She could
send for her father But there was no
one near and beside by the time he
could get home ii might be too laie-for
it was efident that the wnetches were
bent upon revenging themselves Of their
fancied wrongs upon the innocent. She
looked at the clock Half past She
ran out and looked around the lonely
station. No living being in sight. She
called once feebly. but what was the
use? Ii she sent for her father she had
no tangible explanation TO give or real
reason to make him hurry home-only
she was sure there was harm coming to
the down train, that long, crowded ex-
press filled with mountain tourists. But
she must do something.
The men had disappeared around
slight bend in the track Mike ran in.
locked up the Office snatched hat from
a nail in the corner, and then hurried up
the track until she arrived at a slight
curve. Then she "made haste more
slowly for there were the men. Step
ping behind a clump of bushes, she watch
ed them. They had stopped and were do
ing something she could not at first see
what, TO the track. Pretty soon up came a
rail, and in minute more il was thrown
down steep ledge within four feet Of
the track, where the whole train must be
precipitated in less than an hour If some
thing could not be done TO warn them.
Mike saw il all now, and for moment
stood, her eyes dilated with horror, while
she saw the scoundreis shake their fists
toward her way, and heard an impreca-
ton Then they passed on, and Mike,
growing cold in the sudden extremity.
turned and SPED toward the depot
The rail ha been removed on a curve
which was s.sAded on the west side by a
high bank, 80 that at $50 ii was quite
dusk there, and as the train always came